vs. Illinois State
Illinois State
has had a commanding lead over the Jays in the matches between the two
schools, leading 13-6-3 in the 22 meetings. The Redbirds bested
Creighton 2-1 earlier this season as the two teams met on Sept. 29 in
Morrison Stadium. The Redbirds also earned an 8-1 victory over
Creighton on Oct. 27, 2011.

The Jays, however, won the lone
meeting in 2010, netting a 2-1, overtime win in the final match of the
regular season to secure the MVC regular season crown. Six of the last
seven meetings between the two teams have ended in a one-goal
difference, including three overtime matches.

Creighton and
Illinois State have met five times in the MVC Tournament, with the Jays
holding a 2-1-2 edge. Four of the five meetings have been in the MVC
Finals, the only other MVC Semifinals meeting between the two squads
came in 1997, a 2-0 for Creighton.

Scouting the Creighton Bluejays (3-12-3):
Back at home in Morrison Stadium, Creighton attempts to continue its “Redemption Tour” against Illinois State on Friday, Nov. 2.

Creighton played the Redbirds evenly in the 2-1 loss earlier this season,
surrendering a goal in the 89th minute. The Bluejays however are riding a new wave of momentum following a thrilling 8-7 penalty kick session against Drake in the MVC Quarterfinals.

Senior keeper Katie Jo Swanson earned her first shutout of the season in the match with Drake. She has been in net for Creighton every second this season, surrendering 29 goals in 17 matches for a 1.54 Goals Against Average (GAA).

Fellow senior Brittney Neumann leads the Jays in goals (6), points (13) and shots (51). The last time the MVC Tournament was in Morrison Stadium was in 2010 when the Jays claimed their fifth MVC Tournament Title.

Scouting the Illinois State Redbirds (11-4-2):
The second seeded Redbirds have been off since downing Drake, 2-1, on Oct. 25. Illinois State has won eight of its last 10 matches.

Sophomore Rachel Tejada and junior Kyla Cross lead the offense with a combined 55 points (22 G, 11 A). Tejada scored the game-winning goal against the Jays in the 89th minute. She leads the MVC with 15 goals and 38 points this season.

In goal the Redbirds are expecting to send sophomore Aryn Newsome into the net. Newsome did not play against Creighton earlier this season. She has played in 14 of the Redbirds 17 match, registering a 1.30 GAA and 3.5 shutouts.

Going with the Flo:
Freshman Flo Beshiri played in just one match in 2012 prior to the MVC Quarterfinal matchup on Sunday. Despite not playing a recorded time against the Bulldogs, Beshiri’s impact was unquestioned as she delivered the decisive penalty kick for Creighton. Tied at 7-7 on the 20th overall PK, the freshman from Downer’s Grove, Ill., calmly strode to the box and fired a shot past Drake’s Kalena Litch to push the Bluejays into the MVC Semifinals.